Input Deadline for Draft Wawa Housing Action Plan

Time's up for those who want a say on Wawa's Housing Action Plan.

Designed to tackle the issue of housing in the community - which was identified as a priority in Wawa's Strategic Plan - the draft plan was released last month, an Economic Development Assistant Jessie Labonte says it includes five specific goals and strategies to achieve them, including updating the Housing Needs and Demands Study for more up-to-date data.

Labonte notes the plan also recommends developing a plan to service residential property - including Municipality-owned property on Tamarack Road and Algoma Street - and a "brownfield incentives program".

The draft plan's available on the municipal website or at Town Hall, where comments can be dropped off for Labonte - they can also be emailed - by 4 pm today.

Wawa Hosting Household Hazardous Waste Day

The Municipality of Wawa's inviting residents to bring in hazardous waste during a special collection event tomorrow.

As part of the Household Hazardous Waste Day, residents are able to bring in various automotive and garage products, household cleaning products, paints and paint-related materials, pesticides and garden products, and other items, including aerosols, dry cell batteries, propane cylinders, fluorescent light bulbs and tubes, pharmaceuticals, glues and adhesives, and pool chemicals or bleach.

There are some things that won't be accepted: old electronics or tires; radioactive materials or any form of explosives; or commercial, industrial, or institutional waste.

Details are available on the municipal website, wawa.cc

It runs from 9 am to 1 pm Saturday, at the Public Works Garage on Magpie Road.

Chapleau Warning of Water Main Flushing

Chapleau will flush its water mains next week.

A notice on the Township's website notes it is flushing hydrants in different zones starting Monday, September 11th, through Thursday, September 14th, from midnight to 8 am each day.

People in those zones are asked not to use their water during the flushing - including turning off bleeder lines - and warned that colouration will be a problem after, so the Township suggests flushing your own lines through a garden hose or laundry tub before you use any water after the flushing.

The flushing's meant to help clean the mains and ensure efficient operation of fire hydrants.

Sexual Assault & Other Charges Over Wawa Domestic Dispute

Sexual assault and other charges have been laid over a domestic dispute near Wawa.

Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say they were called to a disturbance on Highway 101 near Wawa shortly after 1 o'clock Sunday afternoon, with subsequent investigation leading to the arrest of a Wawa 59-year-old on charges of sexual assault, harassing communications, domestic mischief, and breach of recognizance.

The accused - who will not be identified due to the domestic nature of the incident, to protect the victim - was released from custody with an October court date.

Wawa Building Department Closing for a Week

Wawa's building department is closing for a week.

A notice on the municipal website warns the Building Department will be closed this Friday, September 8th through the following Friday, the 15th, so no municipal building permits, fire permits, inspections, or similar services will be available during that time.

In the case of an emergency, however, the Municipal Office could be contacted.

Chapleau Resident Facing Drug Trafficking Charge

A Chapleau resident's facing a drug trafficking charge.

Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say officers conducting general patrol the afternoon of August 30th observed a wanted individual on Birch Street, leading to their arrest - a search also found a large amount of suspected fentanyl and drug paraphernalia, leading to a charge of possession of a schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking.

The 32-year-old was remanded into custody, pending a bail hearing.

Multiple Charges After Wawa Traffic Stop

Multiple charges have been laid after a traffic stop in Wawa.

Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say officers conducting general patrol on Mission Road around 10 o'clock Saturday morning observed a vehicle being driven by a known prohibited driver, leading to the traffic stop and the susbequent arrest of a Wawa 31-year-old on a charge of driving while under suspension and two counts of operation while prohibited under the Criminal Code.

He was released from custody, set to appear in Wawa's Ontario Court of Justice in October.

PHSD Reports New COVID-19 Cases, Revises Down Death Toll

More COVID-19 cases are being reported in the region.

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting eight since Tuesday - seven in Greater Sudbury, another in the western Sudbury District - though known "active" cases are down slightly, to 55, with 20 in hospital.

The health unit's also reduced its COVID-related death toll, removing a death in Greater Sudbury in which it was unclear whether COVID was the cause or merely contributed - that leaves the health unit's death toll at 218, 190 in the city.

Driver Falls Asleep, Crashes Near Potholes Park, Walks Away

A Chapleau driver's facing multiple charges after apparently falling asleep at the wheel on Highway 101.

Constable Ashley Nickle says Superior East Ontario Provincial Police were notified on Sunday about a heavily damaged vehicle left on the road around Potholes Provincial Park, about 50 kilometres east of Wawa.

Nickle acknowledges some confusion as to what happened, based on pictures released.

Nickle says the driver - a 46-year-old from Chapleau - was found walking along 101 uninjured, and issued seven tickets under the Highway Traffic Act for careless driving, failing to report an accident, failing to report damage to a vehicle and highway property, and insecure load.

Chapleau Set to Flush Water Mains

Chapleau will flush its water mains next week.

A notice on the Township's website notes it is flushing hydrants in different zones starting Monday, September 11th, through Thursday, September 14th, from midnight to 8 am each day, with people in those zones asked not to use their water during the flushing, including turning off bleeder lines.

As colouration will be a problem, the Township suggests flushing your own lines through a garden hose or laundry tub before you use any water after the flushing.

The flushing's meant to help clean the mains and ensure efficient operation of fire hydrants.

More Reaction to Domtar's Plans to Indefinitely Idle Espanola Mill

Local MP Carol Hughes says she's "disheartened" amid news Espanola's paper mill is "indefinitely" shutting down.

Domtar announced Wednesday that it's shutting down its Espanola pulp mill in early October, to be followed by the idling of the paper machines in November, with President Steve Henry saying "the Espanola mill has been challenged for some time now" with "years of ongoing operating losses and high costs associated with maintaining and operating" the mill, adding "we have worked diligently to find a viable path forward for the operation including offering it for sale".

Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing New Democrat Carol Hughes says she's "shocked and saddened", adding she reached out to Domtar to see if government assistance could help avert the closure, but was told it could not.

The closure's set to put 450 people out of work, and Hughes notes "once you lay off workers, the chance of being able to rehire them becomes more challenging as those experienced professionals move on with their careers elsewhere", pointing to challenges White River faced in reopening its lumber mill.

Algoma-Manitoulin MPP Michael Mantha says he's "already been in contact with Ontario's Minister of Labour, Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry, and have reached out to the Minister of Colleges and Universities to highlight the impacts that this will have on the community and our region", and hopes to work with them - as well as their federal counterparts and "impacted stakeholders" - to "mitigate any concerns in the community", emphasizing "protecting and promoting good paying, stable jobs in the North should be a priority for all elected officials".

Wawa Council Receiving Housing Presentation in 2nd Meeting of Week

For the second time this week, Wawa Municipal Council's meeting tonight.

The special Council meeting has a few items on the agenda, including a presentation about "SEED Homes", a staff and engineer recommendation about the drill rig, and an "in-camera" item about a pending land acquisition on Magpie Avenue.

Tonight's meeting starts at 6:30 pm in Council Chambers - it'll also be livestreamed through the Municipality's YouTube channel.

Potential Flood Warning for Chapleau/Wawa District

Ontario's Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry is warning of potential flooding in the region.

A "Watershed Conditions Statement - Flood Outlook" for the Chapleau Wawa District warns residents to "keep a close watch on conditions and exercise caution around rivers and streams", as "a low-pressure system with an associated cold front is moving across the Northeast Region today, bringing rain and scattered thunderstorms for much of the region", with forecasted precipitation ranging from 20 to 40 millimetres - maybe 15 to 25 higher in local moderate thunderstorms - which would produce "significant amounts of localized runoff and elevate water levels", so "some areas may experience an increased risk of overland flow" with flooding possible in low-lying areas and areas with poor drainage.

PHSD & APH Report New COVID-19 Cases

More COVID-19 cases are being reported in the region.

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting 22 since Friday - twenty in Greater Sudbury, two in the broader Sudbury District, including one in the northern Sudbury District, which includes Chapleau, Cartier, Foleyet, Gogama, and neighbouring First Nations - though known "active" cases are down to 48 - the health unit only updates hospitalization figures on Wednesdays, but last showed 26 in hospital, one in an ICU.

Algoma Public Health's reporting twelve new cases over the last week, up from the previous week - seven in Central and East Algoma, three in the Sault Ste. Marie area, and two in the Elliot Lake area - with known "high risk active" cases hitting fifteen, including one in hospital.

Domtar to Indefinitely Idle Espanola Mill

A Northern Ontario paper mill's "indefinitely" shutting down.

Domtar says it's shutting down its Espanola pulp mill in early October, to be followed by the idling of the paper machines in November, with President Steve Henry saying "the Espanola mill has been challenged for some time now" with "years of ongoing operating losses and high costs associated with maintaining and operating" the mill, adding "we have worked diligently to find a viable path forward for the operation including offering it for sale" - though the company does promise "appropriate measures" to assist affected workers, and assures the mill idling will be be in an "environmentally sound" manner that will "facilitate a possible sale or future restart".

Algoma-Manitoulin MPP Michael Mantha calls the news "heavy" and "devastating...for the workers, their families, and the community who will be impacted by this decision", adding he's "already been in contact with Ontario's Minister of Labour, Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry, and have reached out to the Minister of Colleges and Universities to highlight the impacts that this will have on the community and our region", and he hopes to work with them - as well as their federal counterparts and other "impacted stakeholders" - to "mitigate any concerns in the community", emphasizing "protecting and promoting good paying, stable jobs in the North should be a priority for all elected officials".

Deadline for Wawa Fall Fair Colouring Contest

Time's almost up to enter a contest ahead of Wawa's annual fall fair.

Municipal Recreation Coordinator Stacey White explains pages are available for a colouring contest.

White says entries for the colouring contest will be displayed during the fair - and she reminds there's also a baking contest, as well, though entries for that just need to be brought in by 1 o'clock Saturday afternoon, with judging taking place soon after.

The Wawa Fall Fair will be held this Saturday, September 9th, from 11 am to 3 pm in the Curling Rink at the Michipicoten Memorial Community Centre.

Deadline to Book Transportation for Wawa's Seniors Expo

Last chance to book transportation to Wawa's annual seniors expo.

Alzheimer Society First Link Coordinator Chris Rask explains organizers are arranging free transportation for those who need it.

While the North Algoma Seniors Expo and Active Living Fair isn't until next Wednesday, September 13th - from 10 am to 3 pm at the Community Centre - anyone who needs to book transportation's asked to call the Wawa Goose Seniors Centre so by 4 o'clock today.

Superior East OPP Safety Advice Amid Return to School

Local police are issuing a few safety reminders as kids ready to return to school.

Superior East Ontario Provincial Police Constable Ashley Nickle asks everyone to "be a little more careful" as kids return to school, with a special message for parents.

Constable Nickle also has advice for kids walking to and from school.

Constable Nickle also reminds drivers to give themselves more time to get where they're going and be prepared for more vehicle and pedestrian traffic, particularly school buses.

Constable Nickle notes a first time offence can still mean a fine of $400 to $2000 - or worse, the possibility of injuring a child - and any school bus driver or witness can report a vehicle that failed to stop.

The Municipality of Wawa's also reminding of the newly declared "Community Safety Zones" around all schools in Wawa - marked by signs on each end - which means increased - doubled - fines for traffic violations such as speeding.

Classes Set to Begin for 2023-24 School Year

It's back to school time.

Noting classes will begin for most students - there's a staggered start for Junior Kindergarten - Dr. Tarmo Poldmaa - Principal of Wawa's Sir James Dunn Public School - has some advice.

While supply lists are usually given out at the end of the last school year, Poldmaa says staff have posted lists on the school's Facebook page - and he reminds the school nutrition program isn't expected to start quite yet.

Poldmaa also expects a start of the year assembly within a week, and a "welcome back" barbecue later this month.

Saying she's very excited to start the school year - welcoming new students and families - Chapleau Elementary and Secondary School Principal Nicolle Schuurman notes the first day will look a bit different, depending on grade.

Grade 9 to 12 students are asked to report to the main office to obtain their timetables, locks, and locker info, followed by an assembly at 8:45 am, though she also notes timetables were posted on Edsby last Friday.

Schuurman reminds of a few things to bring.

Schuurman also notes Native Second Language will be offered for Grades 1 through 8, with more info to be sent home, though families interested are encouraged to contact the school office.

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